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PSYU2234 – Social and Personality Psychology

2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Chair
Trevor Case
trevor.case@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Simon Boag
simon.boag@mq.edu.au
Head tutor
Alessa Teunisse
alessa.teunisse@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(PSYC104 or PSYU1104 or PSYX104 or PSYX1104) and (PSYC105 or PSYU1105 or PSYX105 or PSYX1105)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This is an introduction to theory, research and applications in the scientific study of social and personality psychology. The personality section of the unit provides an in-depth background to the prominent theories of personality and examines recent developments in personality research. The section on social psychology covers foundational scientific research in social psychology, focusing on developments in the three general domains of social thinking, social influence and social relations. The objectives of this unit involve acquiring a basic understanding of the principal theories, key empirical research, and basic issues in the fields of social and personality psychology. Overall, the following specific knowledge and skills are expected to be acquired from this unit:- an understanding of how the scientific approach to personality and social psychology differs from common sense or lay understanding;- an awareness of research methods used in personality and social psychology research; an ability to construct an overall critical evaluation of current scientific knowledge within personality or social psychology;- an understanding of the principal personality theories, research, and the controversies that arise in this field; and- an understanding of the key theories and research in the domains of social cognition, social influence and social relations.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://students.mq.edu.au/important-dates

Learning Outcomes

  • ULO1: Conduct an analysis of a research topic within personality or social psychology.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate an understanding of the key theories and research in social and personality psychology.
  • ULO3: Discuss the concepts attained in the lectures and readings in a small class forum

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Mid Semester Examination 30% No Held during midsemester break
Final Examination 50% No Held during University examination period
Class participation 0% No Ongoing
Assignment 20% No Week 8

Mid Semester Examination

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Held during midsemester break
Weighting: 30%

Online multiple choice questions. Total 30. Fixed time of opening and maximum 40 minutes to complete
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the key theories and research in social and personality psychology.

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Held during University examination period
Weighting: 50%

Invigilated multiple choice questions. Total 50. Maximum 70 minutes to complete
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the key theories and research in social and personality psychology.

Class participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 0%

Tutorial Participation and engagement with activities
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Discuss the concepts attained in the lectures and readings in a small class forum

Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Qualitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 20%

Four short-answer questions of between 50 and 300 words each, based on a set journal article.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Conduct an analysis of a research topic within personality or social psychology.

1 If you need guidance or support to understand or complete this type of assessment, please contact the Learning Skills Team

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Lectures                     Fridays 3-5pm, 29 Wallys Walk T1 Theatre

Tutorials                    Number of tutorials:               One tutorial per fortnight

                                    Length of tutorials:                2 hours

 

                                    Tutorial Attendance:              COMPULSORY

Students enrolled in the iLecture attendance mode can access the iLecture recording and video of the lecture, but must attend the compulsory tutorial classes.

Prescribed text

Gilovich et al. (2019). Social Psychology (5th ed.). NY: Norton.

 

Suggested text

Feist, J., Feist, G., & Roberts, T. (2018). Theories of Personality (9th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Note that the 6th edition onwards is also acceptable.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Enquiry Service

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Equity Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.